The Lagos State Government has called for workers’ dedication and leveraging of technology to reposition its Valuation Office for efficient service delivery.
The Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Olabode Agoro, made the call on Sunday at a two-day retreat for workers of the Lagos State Valuation Office (LASVO).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that LASVO is an agency under Lagos State Ministry of Finance.
The retreat, which held on Saturday and Sunday, had the theme: “Repositioning the Lagos State Valuation Office for Efficient and Effective Service Delivery”.
Agoro was represented by Abosede George, Permanent Secretary, Local Government Service Commission, Lagos State.
He said that LASVO was the only valuation office in Nigeria.
Agoro said that since LASVO was the only valuation office in the nation, it must be deligent and pursue efficient and effective service delivery.
He said that the office played a pivotal role in asset valuation, property assessment and advisory services that supported economic planning, tax creation, revenue generation and good governance.
Agoro urged officers of the agency to remain committed to professionalism, continuous learning and adaptability in meeting growing demands.
“Let us work together to implement reforms, leverage modern valuation techniques, and uphold the highest standards of integrity and service excellence.
“As we embark on this journey of repositioning, I am confident that, with dedication and teamwork, the valuation office will continue to be a pillar of efficiency, ensuring that our nation maximizes the value of its assets for sustainable growth,” he said.
He said that the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration promoted technological advancement and economic growth; hence, the need for workers to embrace innovation, capacity building and best global practices to improve operations.
According to him, strengthening transparency, accuracy, and accountability in valuation processes will not only enhance public trust but also contribute significantly to national development, property valuation responsibilities, asset assessment and professional advisory services.
The Director, Lagos State Valuation Office (LASVO), Mr Adekunle Awolaja, listed the role and mandate of the agency as well as its achievements since inception in 1989.
Awolaja said that presentations at the retreat would be beneficial to various stakeholders including the state accountant-general, its Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, and legal experts.
He said that the dynamic nature of the valuation field required skilled professionals which, he said, were available in large numbers in the agency.
Awolaja, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), said that the agency was leveraging technology relying on the Geographical Positioning System (GPS) to track, co-ordinate and value government assets.
In a keynote presentation, Prof. Kemiki Olurotimi, explained the principles of valuation as it related to budgeting processes, finance, fixed asset management, and tracking and data gathering, as well as technological innovations, auditing and compensations.
Olurotimi is the Dean of School of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger.
He noted current global trends and the need for Lagos State to continue on the path of advancement.
Olurotimi, also a Fellow of the NIESV, said he had his internship at LASVO in 1997.
He outlined methodologies for successful practice and effective service delivery in managing government assets.
Dr Niran Akintola, a Consultant Family and Occasional Physician and Managing Partner P.H.L Medi Consult, lectured the participants on stress management and personal well-being.
The event also featured panel discussions where experts in valuation, management, surveying and other fields discussed the future of the valuation.
